Covid-19 challenges delay Hawke's Bay Club Rugby start date
Hawke's Bay's Club Rugby season will be delayed by almost a month due to the ongoing effects and challenges caused by Covid-19.
In a letter to club delegates and coaches, Hawke's Bay Rugby Union Chief Executive Jay Campbell said the first round will be delayed by 28 days to April 15.
"The deferred start date will allow the necessary time for players, coaches, referees, and administrators to fully recover and/or exit isolation and undertake the correct return to play protocols including allowing some sort of preseason matches to be played on the weekend of April 9, or for some possibly even April 2."
Campbell said the decision came this afternoon when the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union board sub-committee met.
"Our thoughts are with all clubs and their players and whānau as we all navigate our way through these challenging times but look forward to April 15 when the rugby community can once again come together to enjoy club rugby."
Updated competition structures and draws will be released later next week to allow Hawke's Bay Rugby to work through the next steps in drafting together a plan for the 2022 Ray White Real Estate Club Rugby competitions and further Covid-19 protocols for the season ahead.
Caption: Hawke's Bay's Club Rugby season has been delayed. Photo/Chris Kiely.
